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Quizzes > Society & Culture > Religion & Mythology

Zoroastrianism Trivia Quiz: Test Your Knowledge!

Think you can ace this Zoroastrianism history & trivia quiz? Dive in now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Papercut illustration of stylized Zoroastrian flame and Faravahar symbol on coral background for quiz on history and beliefs

Ever pondered if is zoroastrianism the oldest religion? Now's your chance to find out! Dive into our free zoroastrianism quiz and test your knowledge of this ancient faith's core beliefs, fascinating facts about zoroastrianism, and rich zoroastrianism history. Challenge yourself with engaging zoroastrianism trivia questions, plus a quick zoroastrian religion quiz to elevate the challenge. Curious how it ranks among other faith traditions? Check out the oldest religion in Southwest Asia and see where Zoroastrianism stands. Ready to prove your mastery? Start now and then explore more religion trivia for deeper insights - let's journey into history together!

Who is traditionally considered the founder of Zoroastrianism?
Ahura Mazda
Mani
Cyrus the Great
Zoroaster
Zoroaster, also known as Zarathustra, is regarded as the prophet who revealed the core teachings of Zoroastrianism in ancient eastern Iran around the second millennium BCE. His revelations form the foundation of the faith, emphasizing the worship of Ahura Mazda and the cosmic conflict with Angra Mainyu. Textual traditions in the Avesta attribute the Gathas directly to him, confirming his central role. source
Who is the supreme deity worshipped in Zoroastrianism?
Mithra
Varuna
Ahura Mazda
Angra Mainyu
Ahura Mazda is the uncreated, supreme god in Zoroastrianism, embodying all that is good and wise. He stands in opposition to Angra Mainyu, the destructive spirit, creating the religion's core dualistic worldview. Worship of Ahura Mazda is central in prayers and rituals recited from the Avesta. source
What is the name of the primary sacred text of Zoroastrianism?
Bible
Torah
Avesta
Vedas
The Avesta is the central collection of Zoroastrian scriptures, containing liturgical works, hymns, and legal precepts. Its oldest portions, the Gathas, are hymns attributed to Zoroaster himself, and were composed in Avestan. Later sections, like the Yasna and the Vendidad, outline rituals and purity laws. source
Which concept best describes the cosmic struggle at the heart of Zoroastrianism?
Monism
Dualism
Pantheism
Polytheism
Zoroastrianism is defined by its dualistic worldview, portraying an eternal conflict between the benevolent Ahura Mazda and the malevolent Angra Mainyu. This cosmic struggle informs ethical choices, emphasizing good thoughts, words, and deeds. Unlike monotheistic or polytheistic systems, it presents two opposing principles. source
Which element is considered a purifier and holds a sacred status in Zoroastrian worship?
Fire
Earth
Water
Air
Fire symbolizes truth and order in Zoroastrianism and is maintained in fire temples as a representation of divine presence. Its continuous flame is a symbol of purity and the divine light of Ahura Mazda. Zoroastrians perform ritual prayers facing a sacred fire. source
In which ancient region did Zoroastrianism originate?
Mesopotamia
Persia
Egypt
India
Zoroastrianism emerged in the region of ancient Persia (modern-day Iran) around the second millennium BCE. It was the dominant faith of the Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sasanian empires. Archeological and textual evidence, including royal inscriptions, attest to its Persian origins. source
In what language were the core Zoroastrian scriptures originally composed?
Sanskrit
Old Persian
Avestan
Pahlavi
The Avesta's oldest texts, including the Gathas, are written in Avestan, an ancient Eastern Iranian language. Later Middle Persian commentaries and translations are in Pahlavi. Avestan was primarily a liturgical language by the end of the Sasanian period. source
What does the term "Amesha Spenta" refer to in Zoroastrianism?
Ritual fires
Evil spirits
Sacred rivers
Divine bounteous immortals
Amesha Spentas are six divine entities emanating from Ahura Mazda, each representing a quality like truth, good mind, or holy devotion. They assist in the maintenance of creation and are objects of veneration. Their names appear throughout Zoroastrian liturgy and cosmology. source
What does the Faravahar symbol commonly represent?
A sacred fire
The earth's seasons
Supreme god
The human soul and divine glory
The Faravahar depicts a winged disk with a human figure, symbolizing the human soul's journey toward righteousness and the presence of divine light. It also signifies the Zoroastrian principles of good thoughts, words, and deeds. This iconic emblem remains central in modern Iranian culture. source
What is the name of the Zoroastrian New Year festival still celebrated today?
Yom Kippur
Mehregan
Diwali
Nowruz
Nowruz, meaning "new day," marks the vernal equinox and has been celebrated since ancient Persian times. It honors renewal, purity, and the victory of light over darkness, themes that resonate with Zoroastrian beliefs. Nowruz is a national holiday in Iran and among many diasporic communities. source
The Gathas, central to Zoroastrian worship, are:
Later commentaries on ritual
Pahlavi legal codes
Hymns attributed to Zoroaster
Mythological legends
The Gathas are seventeen hymns composed in Old Avestan language, considered the very words of Zoroaster. They express the prophet's vision of truth (asha) and ethical teachings. These hymns form the oldest core of the Avesta and are recited in key rituals. source
In Zoroastrian ethics, the term "asha" signifies:
Chaos
Truth and cosmic order
Dishonesty
Material wealth
Asha represents the principle of truth, order, and righteousness, countering chaos (druj). Living in accordance with asha is the moral imperative for followers, shaping Zoroastrian rituals and legal injunctions. It underpins the cosmic struggle between good and evil. source
What is a "Dakhma" used for in Zoroastrian tradition?
Priestly hat
Funeral tower for sky burial
Ritual fire hearth
Pilgrimage shrine
A Dakhma, or Tower of Silence, is a raised structure where the deceased are placed to be exposed to scavenger birds, avoiding contamination of earth, fire, and water. This practice reflects Zoroastrian purity laws. Human remains return to nature without polluting sacred elements. source
Which conquest led to the decline of Zoroastrianism as Persia's dominant faith?
Ottoman expansion
Arab Muslim conquest
Roman annexation
Mongol invasion
The Arab Muslim conquest of Persia in the 7th century CE resulted in the gradual decline of Zoroastrianism, as Islam became the state religion. Many Zoroastrians converted or emigrated to India, where they became known as Parsis. This shift drastically reduced Zoroastrian populations in Iran. source
Which Sasanian king is credited with making Zoroastrianism the empire's official state religion?
Cyrus the Great
Khosrow II
Ardashir I
Darius I
Ardashir I founded the Sasanian Empire in 224 CE and established Zoroastrianism as the state religion, consolidating priestly authority and royal patronage. This move centralized worship in fire temples and reinforced the faith's institutional structure. His successors continued promoting Zoroastrian orthodoxy. source
The Bundahishn, a Middle Persian Zoroastrian text, primarily discusses:
Legal statutes and punishments
Biographies of prophets
Cosmology and creation myth
Detailed ritual procedures
The Bundahishn ('Primal Creation') is a compendium on Zoroastrian cosmogony and cosmology, describing the origin of the universe, the creation of good and evil entities, and the structure of the world. It is preserved in Pahlavi manuscripts and reflects Sasanian-era theology. source
Which title is given to the Zoroastrian priestly class responsible for officiating major rituals?
Dastur
Magi
Stan?r
Mobed
Mobeds are ordained Zoroastrian priests who lead worship, perform purification rituals, and recite the Avesta in fire temples. They receive specialized training and are distinct from lay Magi, who historically were associated with astrology and divination. Dasturs are higher-ranking priests or teachers. source
Which Zoroastrian festival specifically honors the discovery and creation of fire?
Sadeh
Nowruz
Mehregan
Yalda
Sadeh is a midwinter festival celebrating the discovery of fire and the defeat of darkness. Celebrated 50 days before Nowruz, it involves large bonfires and communal gatherings. The ritual underscores fire's central role as a symbol of divine light and purity. source
The Zoroastrian adversary Angra Mainyu influenced which figure in Abrahamic traditions?
Michael
Satan
Gabriel
Raphael
Angra Mainyu's role as the embodiment of evil in Zoroastrian dualism is widely seen as influencing the development of Satan in Jewish and Christian theology. Early Jewish communities in Persia interacted with Zoroastrian ideas during the Achaemenid period, which helped shape concepts of an embattled evil spirit. source
What is the primary function of yazatas in Zoroastrianism?
Demonic tempters
Divine beings worthy of worship
Collections of rituals
Human ancestors
Yazatas are divine entities created by Ahura Mazda, each embodying aspects of creation worthy of veneration. They include figures like Mithra and Anahita, and are invoked in prayers and offerings. They help maintain cosmic order and support human welfare. source
As of the 21st century, where is the largest Zoroastrian community located?
India
United States
Iran
Pakistan
The Parsi community in India represents the largest population of practicing Zoroastrians today. They migrated from Persia after the Arab conquest to preserve their faith and settled primarily in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Indian Zoroastrians have maintained ritual practices and community structures for over a millennium. source
Scholarly estimates generally place Zoroaster's lifetime within which era?
500 - 200 BCE
600 - 500 BCE
1500 - 1000 BCE
2000 - 1500 BCE
While traditional sources vary, many modern scholars date Zoroaster to the second millennium BCE, roughly 1500 - 1000 BCE, based on linguistic analysis of the Gathas and comparative Indo-Iranian chronology. Alternative dates have been proposed, but this range remains widely accepted. source
How many recognized recensions of the Avesta survive to modern times?
Two
One
Five
Three
Scholars identify three main surviving recensions of the Avesta, reflecting different regional transmission lines: the Heravi, the Torki, and the Farro?shy?ni. Each recension preserves slightly varied texts and commentaries, illustrating the scriptural tradition's complexity after the Sasanian period. source
What is the Zoroastrian term for the final renovation of the world?
Spenta Mainyu
Khwarenah
Frashokereti
Saoshyant
Frashokereti refers to the prophesied final renovation when evil will be destroyed, creation will be purified, and all souls will be resurrected in a perfect world. This eschatological concept is detailed in later Zoroastrian texts like the Bundahishn and Denkard. source
In the Indian Parsi community, which title denotes the high priest overseeing temple affairs?
Athornan
Bhagban
Dastur
Mobed
Within the Parsi community, the Dastur is the senior Zoroastrian priest responsible for major rituals, doctrinal guidance, and community leadership. Mobeds serve under Dasturs, conducting day-to-day ceremonies in fire temples. The title carries significant religious authority. source
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Study Outcomes

  1. Evaluate the Claim "Is Zoroastrianism the Oldest Religion" -

    Assess evidence surrounding the question "is zoroastrianism the oldest religion" by examining archaeological and textual records.

  2. Recall Key Facts About Zoroastrianism History -

    Memorize important dates, figures, and milestones that shaped Zoroastrianism's development from ancient Persia to today.

  3. Identify Core Beliefs and Rituals -

    Understand the fundamental teachings, sacred texts, and ceremonial practices that define the Zoroastrian religion.

  4. Analyze Zoroastrianism's Influence on Other Faiths -

    Explore how Zoroastrian concepts of dualism, ethics, and eschatology contributed to later religions like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

  5. Apply Knowledge Through an Interactive Zoroastrianism Quiz -

    Test your mastery with engaging trivia questions that reinforce learning and challenge your understanding of Zoroastrianism.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Founded by Zoroaster (Zarathustra) -

    Scholars from Encyclopaedia Iranica date Zoroaster's life between 1500 and 1000 BCE, making him one of history's earliest monotheistic prophets. Remember with the mnemonic "Zoro at Zero Millennium" to recall this rough timeframe. This origin story underpins the question "is Zoroastrianism the oldest religion?" by placing its founder in an unprecedentedly early era of spiritual thought.

  2. Dualistic Cosmology of Asha vs Druj -

    At its core, Zoroastrianism teaches a cosmic struggle between Asha (truth, order) and Druj (falsehood, chaos), personified by Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu. Use the "A-D" mnemonic (Asha vs Druj) to quickly recall these opposing forces. This dualism influenced later Abrahamic doctrines of good and evil.

  3. Influence on Abrahamic Religions -

    Research in the Journal of Ancient Near Eastern Studies highlights Zoroastrianism's impact on concepts like heaven, hell, and final judgment in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The simple acronym "JCI" (Judaism-Christianity-Islam) helps remember its broad religious legacy. Recognizing these parallels illuminates the religion's historical significance.

  4. Sacred Scriptures: Avesta and Gathas -

    The Avesta, especially the Gathas (hymns attributed to Zoroaster), is the primary liturgical text; UNESCO notes these compositions date back over 2,500 years. Try the rhyme "Gathas in the Avesta gather ancient answers" to lock in this fact. Daily prayers and fire-temple rituals stem directly from these scriptures.

  5. Modern Zoroastrian Communities -

    According to the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, today's global Zoroastrian population is around 100,000, primarily in India (Parsis) and Iran, with growing diasporas in North America and the UK. Remember "PIE" (Parsis in India and Iran, plus the diaspora in Europe/elsewhere) to map key regions. Studying these demographics underscores the faith's resilience across millennia.

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